Phase, Microstructure and Beneficiation of Manganese Ore by Acid Leaching

Abstract

In this research work, sawdust was used as a reducing agent for sulphuric acid leaching of manganese ore from Prang Ghar, Lower Mohmand Agency, Pakistan. X-ray diffraction of the powdered sample indicated the presence of Hausmannite (Mn3O4), Calcium Aluminum Silicate Hydrate, Silica (SiO2) and Hematite (Fe2O3). X-ray diffraction and the energy dispersive spectroscopic analysis show that the manganese ore sample was siliceous in nature. In the present study, six process parameters were investigated i.e. the particle size of the ore, leaching temperature, time duration, Mn ore amount, sulphuric acid concentration and amount of sawdust. Manganese extraction of 88.93 (wt%) was achieved for a leaching time of 60 minutes at 120˚C using 5% (v/v) H2SO4 concentration for 10 g Mn ore and 5 g sawdust. The results demonstrate that sawdust is a low cost, renewable and non-hazardous reducing agent in comparison to other available reagents.